I am about to purchase a dcc throttle, booster & amp. My first choice was digitrax, because some of the clubs I’ve visited use digitrax. But then I read in one of my MR issues that one modeler was using lenz. Then I went to my LHS, and they told me to go with NCE or MRC. When I was younger, I use use the Tech 2 by MRC. So I was thinking of giving them a chance, now I know a dcc set is an investment. But I would like to make my first choice the right choice. And I would like as much advice as I can get, Thank you in advance.
Get an Atlas or a Lenze system.
I was given a Digitrax set up and thus am stuck with it, But I like the user interface of the Lenz system Better. Lenz makes the Atlas system so the two are compatibale.
James
I have a Digitrax, I love it. I have seen some others and most seem ok. I made my choice beacuse my LHS was a dealer and a help, and all the people I knew had them. Having the same thing as those around me has been of value. Some of the guys have had some bad experiences and will tell you those stories themselves.
I did not go with the starter set and immediatly upgraded to radio. I wish now I would have started with the radio. Good luck. Let the fun begin.
Digitrax!!! For All the things Art Hill said plus its expandable,and very flexible with lots of support. MRC is somewhat limited but if your not too big itsO.K. The one Lenz system I had was confusing for me to use.
Get whatever the clubs around you have, so if you have trouble you can talk to somebody. I know i’m getting Digitrax cause that’s what my club, and other clubs around the area use.
I’m in the same boat–can’t make a decision. Am looking forward to hearing more.
I love my new Digitrax Zephyr. I would reccomend it to anyone who is getting into the whole DCC scene for the first time. It lets you run 10 locos at a time, as wel as control multiple functions of the locomotive (horn, bell, ditch lights, etc.) Plus, it is expandable if you decide to expand your layout beyond the Zephyr’s operating range, which is pretty big to start with. Is this making sense? [:D]
-Brandon
Wow. There is no “better” system. I will just ramble a bit and hope it helps.
So first to start off I personally own a Digitrax Zephyr, a Lenz, two old MRC-2000 (Model prior to the prodegy), and a CVP Railcommand (not DCC). I use the CVP wireless throttles (on the Lenz). I also use the Digitrax signalling system.
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The most advanced system is probably the Zimo which wasn’t even in your list. I have never personally seen one of these, only the advertisements.
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You mentioned “clubs” are any of them YOUR club. If so it is much nicer to have the same system at home and at the club. … I love the console of my Digitrax Zephyr. Digitrax has a proprietary network system for communications between the components called Loco-net. So far not many other vendors have joined the loco-net band wagon, but Digitrax is now making enough different throttles that one should be able to find at least one they like.
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I have had wonderful experience with the NCE people and their decoders. I assume their systems are the same quality. I always hated the monster video game-like hammer head master control unit, but they now have other throttles and options.
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Every upgrade of the Lenz has been free. Lenz doesn’t want people getting stuck with an old system. The worst part of Lenz is the manuals. They are not organized in a way that I find easy to use. Lenz has many interchangible parts with other systems since they
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CVP Easy DCC is a wonderful system too. It like the Digitrax Zephyr has the main control unit in the console and in my opinion is one of the easiest to use. It also has two built in throttles rather than just one like the Zephyr.
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I don’t know about the new MRC systems, I liked my old one ok. But I do have several of the new MRC decoders and they are difficult to program on other systems, and the sound units are just, well, ummm, bad. I really loved my MRC DC power systems (have had one for o
Thank you very much for the information, so far I’m leaning towards the digitrax. I must admit I was looking more at pricing than functionality, but I’d rather have a functional system that will be upgradeable.
I was waiting for the new ESU Ecos system as it will newer and have more features than anything else on the market. Should be out in a couple of months.
zxb1,
I have the NCE Power Cab and enjoy it VERY much. However, Andrew’s advice is probably the wisest given: Go with a system that folks in your area are using the most.
If you want to read up on the Power Cab, here’s a link to a thread that I wrote a few months ago after receiving mine. It’s basically my first initial impression of the Power Cab and includes pictures, as well as questions, comments, and issues raised and answered.
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=59491
I think it’s a pretty fair assessment of the system.
Tom
I am going to play devils advocate here and probably get flamed for doing this but all I ever see in these (Which DCC is best threads) is the mine is best.
Most responses talk about the ease of use for the beginner. Question here: How long are you going to be a beginner?
If you pick a system that is so easy to use (for the beginner) is it going to be a burden to use once you have it 3 years, 5 years or more.
I have found that with most things the easier you make them to use, for the beginner, the more cumbersome they are when you are experienced. This is what I have seen in using computers for way too many years.
While drop down menus are great in the beginning I can accompli***hings much faster using the keyboard shortcuts only because my hands are on the keyboard more than they are on the mouse. So using the mouse and then jumping back to the keyboard and then back to the mouse to access the drop down menus is too time wasting.
So is the big screen on the DCC keypad really that necessary when you have 2 or 3 years of experience. Do I need all of those menus, sub-menus and sub-sub menus etc., when it would be so much easier to just press 2 more buttons and get right to the programming CV you want.
Do you have to or need to watch the screen on the keypad instead of your train, or can you run your train with the keypad at your side because you know where important keys are by feel (speed, direction & horn)?
Now all DCC systems will do what they advertise for if they don’t the manufacturers would be sued out of existence. So we do not have to worry about that. But how the manufacturer goes about accomplishing these features is how easy it is to use. If one DCC system requires 8 button presses to just read the engine number while another requires only 2 - Which one is easier to use?
If a DCC system requires you to have your plug panels set up in a certain sequence and the radio panel has to be at the end o
I’ve been reading the “Which DCC system should I buy?” posts for a year and a half now. My conclusion from all the replies is that just about everyone is happy with the DCC system they’ve got. The only negatives come from people who bought one of the bottom-end, “starter” systems and found they quickly outgrew them. So, you will probably be happy with whatever you choose.
I have a Lenz 100. I bought it because it is 5 amps, while some of the others are only 2.5 or 3 amps. This is probably less important than I thought it was at the time. Lenz also supports 13 functions, which is more than some of the competition, as of a year ago when I got it.
I also like the Lenz throttle unit. Ultimately, the throttle is what you will deal with most. I’ve got big hands, so I like the layout of the throttle with a few large buttons, rather than the Digitrax throttles with many more small buttons. This, of course, is personal preference, so “test drive” a few throttles if you can. Ask the owners what they like and dislike about their throttles. Some of the plusses and minuses only show up after you’ve had the system a while.
I like my digitrax chief because it will program anything I want to program.QSI,Soundtraxx etc.No trouble with programming.That said I liked the easy control of the Atlas system.Dan
I originally had intended to purchase a Digitrax Super Chief Radio version. I placed the order then was contacted by the shop owner saying that Digitrax was having problems in production and it would take 6 weeks to get it in. The owner then suggested a NCE system stating that is was more user friendly and was more readily available. I went with the NCE system and have no regrets.
Recently I placed an order for a Digitrax decoder made for the Athearn locos and was told that Digitrax was having problems with production and it would be a while before the decoder would be available. This was a different hobby shop than the first one that had problems getting Digitrax items. I don’t have the best feelings about Digitrax at present. I’m glad I went with the NCE system.
Bill
To me the better system is the one you are more comfortable with and one that can grow as your layout grows.
Also, it is a good idea to find out what the LHS is running in the way of DCC and learn all you can about how the system is running. If the LHS has a layout ask them if you can operate it too! Hands on is the best way to try it out! Test drive the system before you buy!
My LHS supports Digitrax and that is what I am going with in the next month or so.
I’ve only used Atlas and Lenz systems. I’m a little puzzled by some slightly negative comments about Lenz manuals. I’m definitely a DCC dummie but have had no problems at all following the instructions in the Lenz manuals. They seem very clear to me.
Since I have never seen any other DCC system manuals, I will certainly admit that they may be far superior. The only thing I don’t like about Lenz manuals is their binding and the way they are constructed. I can’t get them to open up and lay flat. I would like to see them spend a little more money on the physical quality of their manuals. And, it would be nice if they were designed so they could be three-hole-punched so all of their various component manuals, decoder manuals, etc., could be assembled into one notebook and tabbed for easy reference.
I too, based on what I’ve read and observed, feel that many of the DCC systems are very good.
Jerry
One of the best comparisons I’ve seen recently is Joe Fugates
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=49375
Regards
Tim
You only need something upgradeable if you buy a bottom of the line unit like the Digitrax Zephyr. If you buy a top of the line Super Chief Wireless there is very little one needs to upgrade. Ditto for the Lenz - I haven’t needed any upgrades except the computer interface.
I have the Digitrax Zephyr and I like it. I am thinking of upgrading to a Digitrax radio unit, but I still like the Zypher. It’s a great unit to get you feet wet with. Like everybody else has said though, there are other manufacturers out there. Do some research and see what you like.